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November started with a first: the first time the Kriegsmarine has fought an action in the Mittelmeer since the last war. It was not unexpected: Großadmiral Raeder had orders to be aggressive and the Royal Navy has treated the Mittelmeer as its own for a hundred years.

The engagement started at 6AM on 1st, when the Nordseeflotte spotted a small group of British cruisers escorting troopships in the Gulf of Sidra. With the sun behind them, the silhouettes of the British ships were sharp against the horizon. According to the official record, Großadmiral Raeder had some misgivings, as difficulties in receiving supplies meant that ammunition stocks were low: his ships would be effectively fighting at half strength. However his orders were clear, to engage the enemy whenever possible, and the guns of the fleet opened up as he started to manoeuvre his ships.

Battle of the Gulf of Sidra: 7AM 1st November: “Caradoc” already showing the effects of several hits

“Bismark” and “Admiral Scheer” concentrated their fire on the lead light cruiser, HMS “Caradoc” and both registered hits in their first salvoes. Built in 1917, the “Caradoc” soon ablaze, her 3 inch side armour insufficient to protect her from the 380mm shells that were aimed her way. “Scharnhorst” was assigned to deal with HMS “Cardiff”, another relic of the last war. “Cardiff” seemed to live a charmed life. Though surrounded by waterspouts she showed virtually sign of damage as her captain tried to close to torpedo range. HMS “Dragon”, the third light cruiser of the British fleet, was also lucky as neither “Konigsberg” and “Stuttgart” could to lock onto their target. The troopships (later identified as the “Essex” flotilla), screened by the aggressive actions of their escorts, took evasive action and “Deutschland” managed just one hit with minimal damage.

HMS “Caradoc” from above, captured by a “Bismark” float plane as the light cruiser moved to protect the troopships

Of course the enemy were not silent: even at more than 10 kilometres distance the sparkle of gun flashes was clearly visible despite the dawn light. Dozens of near misses surrounded our ships, but the only hits were on the “Bismark”. Probably aware that they had little hope of penetrating the belt armour, both “Dragon” and “Caradoc” were attempting to drop shells on the deck armour, but even this tactic was unsuccessful, as the most of the armour was over 100mm thick, and turrets and barbettes had even better defence. Of course, the conning tower with its 360mm of steel was virtually impervious to the British 6 inch guns. Deck fires and some superficial damage were the only damage recorded, though several crew were lost, mainly while engaged in fire fighting. “Cardiff” was unable to hit “Stuttgart” at all. Is this a sign that the much celebrated Royal Navy artillery expertise is over-rated?

Vice-Admiral Hope-Carlill must have realised immediately that his three light cruisers were outclassed by the ships of the Nordseeflotte, but he would also have soon appreciated that his opponent was a far better tactician. The rest of the battle consisted of increasingly desperate attempts by the Royal Navy to cover the escape of the troopships while trying to avoid annihilation.

By noon the outcome of the battle was clear. Although “Stuttgart” had sustained serious damage and was unable to keep up with the main fleet, the only other casualties were aboard the “Bismark”, which was still at more than 90% efficiency. The British, however, were beaten. “Caradoc” was barely afloat, though still able to move under her own steam. The other warships were trailing plumes of black smoke from active fires and several of the troopships were also ablaze. Just after noon, Hope-Carlill ordered his ships to withdraw under cover of smoke. The still conditions (a slight breeze just enough to spread the smoke) allowed the smokescreen to work to perfection. With no Zerstörergeschwader to send forward, Großadmiral Raeder was understandably reluctant to pursue the British: although our light cruisers were still largely intact he could not risk the possibility that the British had left a cruiser behind, hoping to lure a capital ship within torpedo range.

The fact that no British ships were sunk (we assume that “Caradoc” made it to port safely) did not detract from our victory. Operating far from home, the Kriegsmarine has beaten the Royal Navy on its own “pond”. Of course Goebbels took every opportunity to remind the populace that it was the Party that had made the construction of a navy a priority. His efforts were rewarded: party support has surged more than 10%.

End of the Battle of the Gulf of Sidra

Perhaps it was in response to our success in the Mittelmeer, but the very same day our embassy in Lisboa reported that the Portuguese were mobilising. There is little danger of them joining the British in their futile struggle, so there were no alterations in our military dispositions. Von Ribbentrop’s advice is to ignore the mobilisation: it probably reflects concern about a British invasion.

At least we are getting information about Portugal: our spies are finding it more and more difficult to obtain facts about the Red Army. The best estimate we have is that it has more than 200 divisions. Our front line units feed some information back, but it is not specific. The best source is the radar and listening post at Memel, but that can only provide local details. A decision has been made to urgently construct a series of listening posts and radar sites along the entire border. Nine sites have been selected: Artysz, and Berehomet in Romania, Przemysl, Chelm, Suwalki and Bielsk Polaski in Polend and Ragnit in East Prussia. The builders and technicians have promised these will be operational by mid-March next year. I hope for their sakes that they keep their promise. Mininsters Frick and Goebbels are taking a personal interest in progress and the Führer has stated that he is not interested in excuses: we must have accurate information regarding enemy dispositions before Barbarossa is launched.

Red Army units along the north east border: only in the Memel region are any details available.

The Luftwaffe kept up pressure on the RAF during the first week, with battles from the Mouth of the Loire to the Eastern English Channel. Losses were steady but well within acceptable limits, and the RAF showed that it could not replace its aircraft as rapidly as it had previously. A demonstration of the difference in the opposing air forces was to be seen in the clash that took place over the Eastern Englsihs Cahnnelo at 5PM on the 6th November. Eleven Jagdgeschwader with more than 1,000 Messerschmitts overwhelmed the RAF’s 300 fighters. With more interceptors arriving daily, the Luftwaffe dominates the skies. The only question is whether it can do so against the VVS: we have virtually no information on the strength of the Soviet air force.

Air Battle of the Eastern English Channel: 5PM 6th November (note 2nd leichte Panzerkorps heading towards Paris on its way east)

Minister Bayerlein scored another coup on 4th November. Research funding became available with the completion of a program to retrain for our garrison troops: no longer will they have to rely on just the “Gewehrgranatgerät” to break up an enemy mass attack. Thousands of 7.92mm leMG 13s have been found carefully stored in warehouses across the Reich. The MG 13 isn’t the most modern weapon (I am pretty sure they were withdrawn from service in about 1935) but I am sure our men will be grateful. The newsreels have been full of shots of happy and energetic men firing the “new” weapons, and the newspapers have followed their lead. I am sure I see Goebbel’s hand in this: getting the population in the mood for a resumption of fighting with even more of our young men in the Wehrmacht.

The Gewehrgrenatgerät: efficient enough against infantry but useless against armour.

A photo taken during one of Goebbel’s stage managed “real-life” newsreels: a guard overlooking the Constanza port refinery complex is about to fire his leMG 13 at an “enemy bomber” while a photographer gets in position. How can they expect anyone to believe this is real? In the middle of winter the soldier has no shirt on and the cameraman is in shorts! This must have been shot months ago and held for the right moment. And good luck if a real bomber ever shows up: an 88mm anti-aircraft cannon would be far more useful.

The recycling of old weaponry was not why I mention this, however. It was Fritz Bayerlein’s persuasion of the Cabinet to allow him to start developing an advanced supply transportation system to replace our current model. This was quite a task: with von Blomberg and Göring at the Führer’s ear constantly urging more advanced equipment for the Heer and Luftwaffe, and Schacht and Rader not far behind, to get approval to for a project that will not be complete until months after Barbarossa begins was a real achievement. Even with no delays it will be June when the results will be known. Bayerlein claims it will reduce wastage and losses in supply transportation, but only by a fraction of a percent. His argument hinges on the vast amount of supplies that will need to be sent into the vastness of Russia. Every man, horse and vehicle will need sustenance, upkeep, maintenance and possible replacement: and it will all have to be hauled from our cities and factories. There were pages and pages of detailed calculations in his submission: I imagine that none of the other Ministers (bar Hjalmar Schacht) could even begin to understand them. The Führer, however, would have been won over by the section on how essential it was to ensure the front-line troops were kept supplied: his own memories of the last war are touched by the hardships of trench warfare and the need to keep the common soldier warm and well fed.

It was perhaps coincidental that only a few days after the approval for a line of radar and intelligence posts in East Prussia, Poland and Romania, the Luftwaffe obtained detailed information of large troop concentrations in Plymouth. After yet another swirling dogfight over the British port, a Messerschmitt fitted with the latest reconnaissance cameras took photographs of new building and road works in the area. Skilled analysts have identified evidence of no less than 14 infantry regiments and a mountain division, together with a sizeable fleet (though no troopships). Is this Göring’s way of showing that investment in the Luftwaffe is better than spending on ground based equipment? It doesn’t matter: the report has caused a lot of closed door sessions in Berlin as the reasons for such a concentration of men and ships are discussed.

Could this explain a sudden decision to expand the Luftwaffe? Or is it a pre-planned expansion of our bombing forces that has led to orders being placed with Henschel for 200 brand new Hs 129 dive bombers? They won’t be ready until April, but doubtless the fighting will be still be heavy a month after our initial assault. (There are those who believe that the Red Army will collapse in the first week of fighting – I am not among them. I remember too many of my comrades who did not come back from the fighting the Russians in the East. My own experience fighting the Red Army while serving under Baron Otto von Brandenstein in Finland showed that despite being badly led and ill-trained, the Russian soldier can be dogged in his refusal to retreat.)

A new HS 129: our Schlachtgeschwader are being upgraded to the new aircraft, many of which do not carry bombs but instead are armed with a Mk 101 30mm armour piercing auto-cannon. This aircraft is trying out the Mk 103: a lighter, belt-fed auto-cannon with a faster rate of fire.

Of course the Heer was not neglected: another garrison division (403rd Sicherung) left for Zagreb on the Wedenesday the 14th and a new garrison and new cavalry division began training the same day. When JG 45 “Paul Baümer” joined 6th Jagdfliegerkorps on the 17th, funds for a new motorised division were authorised.

The main activity for the Heer, however, was the beginning of a restructure of OB Ost and OB Sud, as well as a rationalisation of Heeresgruppe Spanien. A newly formed motorised division (Brandt’s 20th) was assigned to von Randow’s new command, 4th Panzerkorps, which was in turn attached to Polen Army Sud. 1st Motorkorps was ordered to move from Spain to Krákow, Poland, where it was to also join Polen Amry Sud. The existing Iberian Army has been dissolved, the headquarters units dispersed and 1st Marinekorps transferred to Stettin where it is undergo training in amphibious invasions. General Rommel has been relieved of command of Sud-Frankreich Army and is to travel to Berlin where he will await a new posting. General Rabenau, a more defensive leader, has taken his place, and the Army is to now be known as the Army of Iberia. Kampfgruppe Galicia has been redesignated as Armeekorps Galicia and has been attached to Rabenau’s Army. The last significant event was the commissioning of 7th Gebirgsjäger Division (General Förster) and its posting to Romania as part of 1st Gebirgsjägerkorps.

Towards the end of the month, the last aircraft for Jagdgeschwader 20 “Topas” rolled off the Messerschmitt production line and was quickly flown to Kiel to join the rest of the unit with 5th Jagdfliegerkorps . All bar one of our six Jagdfliegerkorps now has its full complement of three geschwader.

While no more bombers were ordered, there were important design improvements made by our engineers and technical staff. A radical new airframe has been successfully tested, and improved fuel tanks suitable for medium sized aircraft are now available. As a result, a new model bomber has been put into production: the Ju 188. In addition, an improved naval bomber will enter service: the Focke-Wulf 200C “Condor”. All our Kampffliegerkorps and Seefliegerkorps will convert to the new aircraft, hopefully by early next year. Replacing nearly 2,000 aircraft in 6 months will place a huge demand on our industry, particularly when the Heer is placing huge orders for new equipment. Minister Schacht will earn his pay.

Enthusiastic crew help arm the Luftwaffe’s new standard tactical bomber: the Ju 188

That was not the end of good news for Minister Göring and the Luftwaffe. They secured both replacement research projects, with our top scientists to design a radar set for bombers to allow them to detect enemy fighter formations, and a group of tactical experts to liaise with some of best pilots to come up with improved ground attack tactics for our dive bombers.

Overall a very good month for the Wehrmacht. Although Minister Raeder and the Kriegsmarine did not do well on the allocation of manufacturing capacity or research grants, the victory in the Gulf of Sidra will have earned him significant political clout for the months ahead. The Heer and the Luftwaffe are getting virtually everything they ask for: let us see if they can repay this trust when Barbarossa begins.

Next month will be a busy one, for the Führer has “requested” that his ministers each provide him with a summary of the current situation in their areas of responsibility. These are to be consolidated to make a “State of the Nation” report that sums up our preparedness for the coming conflict. Of course the Wehrmacht will also provide another report on the armed forces somewhat closer to the launch date, but this will still be a massive exercise and I have warned my staff that we may have to work through Weihnachten and up to Silvester. There were many glum faces: unlike last year most people feel that the war is over and the need for individual sacrifice is over. How can I tell them that the real war is yet to start?

Unterseebootsflotte Activity Report

35 British transports and 7 escorts, and one Irish transport

Axis Military Situation Maps

Greece: the Italians seem exhausted, with no activity reported. There are rumours that the Luftwaffe may be asked to weaken resistance by a bombing campaign over Athina.

Libia: the Army of Egypt has managed to stem the rout and form a line. It is now up to the Italians to show that they can break the enemy again.

China: the Japanese seem buoyed by their recent success and continue to make progress.

Hello, I have been following your game since a long time ago and it´s the best aar i have seen (except Rome Aarisen maybe)
I have been asking myself something: why did you not try a sealion operation?
I´m new with HoI3, but a veteran of HoI2 and i always did it before Barbarossa for assuring my west flank.
PS: I have heard that it was consider gamey because it was very easy to make in the game debt to the AI. Is this the reason?

Thank you for the praise: I remember reading Rome Arisen not long after it started and thinking that this was the way to do an AAR but that it seemed an awful lot of work: I was right.

With Sealion, there were two reasons. The first is that when I started this AAR is was no challenge. The RAF was a joke and the RN did not respond quickly enough. It was over in a week or two. (I believe Semper Fi and the patches have made it a bit harder - the RN definitely seems more active aroudn its ports). The second is that I wanted to stick to RL at least for the first year. (Well, as close as I could).

I suppose another (hidden) reason is I wanted someone for the Kriegsmarine to fight, and to see how the Battle fo the Atlantic panned out.

Originally Posted by GulMacet

Question: Why are you using the 'native' names of those cities, when there are perfectly servicable German ones? Brünn instead of Brno and Mährisch-Ostrau instead of Ostrava would be the proper way to call them.
Also, did I mention I would really really enjoy a HoI3-Mod that changes province names according to whoever controls them?

I agree that my clerk would use the German names (though sometimes it took a while to change them back in Poland)

Again there are two reasons. As it probably quite apparent to any German speakers, my German is rudimentary at best. I simply don't know the German names of the towns and other geographical features. (See below re "Mittelmeer" and "Mittelsee" for evidence of my ignorance - I am sure veterans of this AAR can point to more). And I am tto busy/lazy to look up each and every one.

Secondly I always wanted to produce an AAR where people could compare what is happening to their own games, if only to say "The fool, he took 5 weeks to conquer Poland, I did it in 3hrs" or "He only has Tech 3 in 1941? What has he been doing?". For this to work, I thought it best to keep most of the names as used in the game. The only ones I have changed have been pretty big ones where it is clear what is intended i.e. Ostsee for Baltic See.

Originally Posted by Enewald

Nerdgasm!

What is a sun?

I assume you envy me my retreat from the trials of the world? My wife suggested I have a room of my own so we built a separate games room in the back garden. This was the result. Could I call it a Spielenzimmer? Or a Salle de Jeux?

The sun is a glowing ball of heat that shines all year round (except at night). It ensures that we become sun-bronzed Aussies and burns pale northern interlopers (and Tasmanians).

Originally Posted by Morrell8

The Yellow thing that one does not see very often in Finland.

I think they have a sun but it is very weak and has half the year off. I will refrain from drawing any analogies: I worked with some Finns once and after two jugs of vodka they became surprisingly boisterous.

Originally Posted by Baltasar

The point would be to occupy Crete before the British attempt to get away, although I admit that the AI very rarely tries to ship out units, it would make their supply runs a little more difficult. Plus, it would enable the Italians to annex Greece, if they should decide to attack Athens after all.

On the other hand, the paras might show their worth later on in drops near the Suez, to cut off the British. Then again, this is really an Italian theatre and who knows if the Führer would want to get sidetracked with events in supposedly Italian Mare Nostrum.

There are no Brits in Greece that I have seen: not even any air. I am reluctant to gamble my only two para divs on a sideshow. They are my only real "fire-brigade".

As far as I am concenred, as long as Italy is in the war I am happy. I just didn't want to see them lose half their army in Libia and end being invaded.

Originally Posted by Blackfriar

Great update as usual! It's good to see things are back to normal and you're enjoying yourself, Uriah!

It's only October '40. The tentative date for Barbarossa seems to be just before April, so that leaves roughly 4 months. When I suggested bombing the British in North Africa, my thinking was inline with yours: use the time for asymmetric ops in the Med. Low-investment, high-yeild stuff. Taking Crete is a win-win: removes supply/withdrawal route, gives the Germans an airbase to support the Italian advance on the NA coast, removes airfields threatening petrol supply during Barbarossa. Although the last one seems more relevant to the narrative than the AI!

Thakns Blackfriar

When the weather improves I will send a few planes to bomb Athina. N.Africa is out of range of the Ju 88s. Maybe when the Kampffliegerkorps are upgraded to Ju 188s I will be able to reach. As above: the paras are really for 100% risk free or for emergencies.

Originally Posted by tr70whv

Hello again folks!
The navy is back from leave, so a late happy new year@all!
@Baltasar:

It is a 7,9mm MG 245/1(n) [or 245/2(n), this is impossible to see on a photo. This was the german designation for captured norwegian Colt Browning M 1917 machine guns. It looks very much like a sMG 08 (not the "light" 08/15, which looks different because it has a shoulder stock, a pistol grip with trigger compared to the one fired with both thumbs on the sMG08 or the 245/1(n) and the 08/15 is aircooled, not watercooled). Also the belt on the 08 is fed from the right side of the weapon, in the picture you can see that this gun is fed from the left. And the barrel muzzle on the 245/1(n) is much thicker (I think it´s a case) than that of the 08. What also speaks for a captured norwegian weapon is the landscape, it looks pretty much like Norway.
It can´t be a Vickers (7,92mm sMG 216(r) or 7,7mm sMG 230(e), (r) or 7,7mm sMG 231(h) in German service), because on these the cooling case around the barrel
has channels (for better cooling effects) , not a clean surface like on the 08 or 245/1(n).
@GhostWriter: thank you very much for you kind words about my service in the navy! Glad to hear that (which is not the rule...). And thank you for your time in Germany back in the sixties!
@Uriah: don´t worry having a German native speaker from the navy here. I´ll give you "my two cents" about the last naval battles in a further post. I think for today it´s enough about
German weapons. But you are lucky! Beeing in the navy for 20 years means not automatically knowledge abou tactics and history but fortunately for you military and naval history is
my greatest hobby.....

I am glad at least some-one knows what they are talking about. I had noticed that the cooling case looked differnet from my memory but did not know enough about them to see the relevance. As for for the terrain: I did say early war: . Norway, France - they are both in Europe. All European winter terrain looks desolate to me: probably the same as Australian summer terrain looks to you!

Another naval action in this update: I cringe as I await your critique

Originally Posted by tr70whv

Just a short one: it´s Mittelmeer not Mittelsee for the Med Sea in German. (another part of the "is the language logic discussion", because the Baltic Sea is the Ostsee.....)

Yes, I remember now that it sounded odd as I wrote it - but many things sound odd when you write them (have you ever looked at the word "weird" and thought "Is that the right spelling?)

I will go back and edit it so any young children are not led astray by my crimes against the German language.

Originally Posted by blsteen

Nice game Uriah, a buddy of mine had something similar years ago.
A spring Barbarossa...wasn't it originally set in OTL in the middle of May?
To avoid the worst of the "rasputitsa"?

I take it you are referring to the board game? He may have had "The Longest Day" an Avalon Hill monster game on which I wasted literally weeks of my life.

I believe you are right about the planned date and reason, but mud should not be critical for the first assault, and I need my planes for at least 6 months.

Originally Posted by soulking

My apologies for forgetting about your AAR.
In the picture of Bayerlein's train set/model, the kid looks like if he's about to attack the photographer
And I'm guessing that that is your room, and if i'm correct, then you have a LOT of books - more than me at least.

Soulking, how could you? I had noticed the "Views" were down by one. So it was you.

I think the kid (as I said last week it was a 1949 Berlin photo) is probalby thinking "Why is this man torturing me by showing me things I must have but can never possess?)

As for thebooks in my room, that is in fact only part of them. I think Ihave about 3,000 all up, but depite buying a whole pine plantation from IKEA (8 or 9 "Billys" - they stretch much further along that wall) I can't fit them all in that room. So they infest the rest of the house as well.

Originally Posted by Dáin

Finally an Italian advance! And the Japanese have finally taken Jinan! It's a miracle!

It seems that taking Gibraltar was the right course of action to prop up your neighbour to the south.

You think that Gibraltar may have caused the Italian surge? Let's hope so. And the Japanese have been slowly grinding the Chinese while increasing (and presumably improving) thier own army.

Originally Posted by Brad1

In case you didn't hear, it looks like there is going to be a new expansion coming out focusing on Barbarossa. I bet it will be out just in time for your barbarossa in this AAR

I did see it, and intend to crush Russia before the first patch. (I hope). I will not be restarting: I couldn't face it. (I slways assume the expansions are non-comaptible and Paradox never lets me down).

Originally Posted by RobberChicken

I've received a message by pigeon from our redoubtable little clerk. I don't quite understand it, but he asked me to pass it on; something about "Sorry for the lack of diary entries of late, but my internet[?] is down. Normal service should resume in a few days."

There was a bit more, but the handwriting was rather small - the sign of a disturbed mind, I believe - and smeared with pigeon-poop. Make of it what you will.

[BTW, in the pic of the Normandy game did anyone note the hefty scissors and square in the lower left? Yes, that's what Uriah uses to cut his counters out. Frankly, sometimes he frightens me.]

Thanks to RobberChicken for his thoughtful note: I asked him to let you all know I had not abandoned the AAR as my internet provider could not guarantee my cable would be fixed before next week. Of course, as soon as he posted this a crew turned up and ripped up my front lawn to replace some vital part. Four days of no cable TV and no internet: you try living with three daughters and a wife with Facebook addictions.

And that was not pigeon poop - I have three dogs. Sometimes I feel like Mr Burns: "Unleash the hounds!"

As for the industrial strenght scissors etc: my wife has a sewing room attached and finds large flat tables stangely attractive for sewing/cutting activities. She has been warned of the consequences! (I remember one of my daughters at about age five admitting to me: "I moved one of your counters the other day". As an indication of my mercy, she still lives.)

Originally Posted by bugwar

Pigeon? He can afford pigeons? Why, back in my day, we used plucked chickens,
and then only after removing the drumsticks!

These young wippersnappers have it too easy.

____________________________________

See above re dogs: they do kill pigeons though. And chickens, and mice and rats and anything else that may by any definition end up being edible.

Originally Posted by weissbrot

Wohoooo daily updates for a month, whenever his internetz will be back. \o/

*waits impatiently*

I had one ready and working on December: give me time. Had to arrange uni enrolment.

I can almost hear the wheels grind in the factories. It will be a busy 5? months... But to get the best equipment out against the soviet hordes is a necessity.
What is the state of research in armor?
Supply is key in the east and Bayerlein's request didn't come a day too soon

It's nice to see a shift from a combat heavy report to a more economic/industrial one.

The USSR produced 57,224 T-34 tanks of various specifications during the WW2 timeline. 44,900 became scrap metal (aka destroyed).
Total USSR AFV 1941-45 losses were 96.600. War winning tank much?

Since you mentioned the upgrading of al TAC and NAV wings, I'd consider not upgrading them now. First of all, your tech levels will be better than those of the Soviets, so it is not immediately neccessary. Secondly, I still feel that the Wehrmacht has way too few boots on the ground to take on the behemoth known as Red Army. Even your best estimates calculate at least 200 divisions and OB Ost will have less then half than that. While you do have Allies, their combat worth is questionable as can be seen in Greece and North Africa where the Italians somehow manage to get stuck despite all odds in their favor.
Delaying the upgrade to newer planes will free up considerable production capabilities and should be used for either more important upgrades (infantry, tanks, artillery) or new units (you should be able to get infantry divisions done by March).

Congratulations to Admiral Raeder and his squadron. The appearance of the Kriegsmarine in the central Med should raise an eyebrow or two in London. However, he should be informed that fuel is to be prioritised for the other branches soon. Since he will not recieve new ships anytime soon, he has to take care of what he has at his disposal, meaning that the damaged ships need to be brought home for repairs is his current primary duty.

Goering can also be proud of his boys, they're giving the Brits quite a beating over the channel. He should intensify operations here to inflict as many losses on the RAF as possible as long as the ratio is in your favor. Once Barbarossa starts, he'll have considerably fewer fighers available and cutting down the RAF now means that you gets a larger window of peace where the RAF will be busy replacing losses instead of harassing continental Europe.

Do not send too many units to the soviet border, or they will break the NAP and dow.

I thought the AI would not break the NAP? I know that after the expiry date there is a chance of an attack if I am too threatening, but are you sure the computer can break a pact?

Originally Posted by NERFGEN

I can almost hear the wheels grind in the factories. It will be a busy 5? months... But to get the best equipment out against the soviet hordes is a necessity.
What is the state of research in armor?
Supply is key in the east and Bayerlein's request didn't come a day too soon

It's nice to see a shift from a combat heavy report to a more economic/industrial one.

New units are arriving every week, and combat troops are to be replaced everywhere possible by garrsion and cavalry.

Armour is about 41 level for all bar heavy - that is at 1940 level. (I think)

Supply tech is about 2 years ahead, and I am building up infra all along the east: not only to get good paths but to develop construction expertise.

Originally Posted by Enewald

Would be just Spielzimmer.

Thanks : I thought that might be it but in Englsih it would be a "games room" and not a game room". There is a shocking lack of consistency in the world's languages. Babel has a lot to answer for.

Originally Posted by Baltasar

Since you mentioned the upgrading of al TAC and NAV wings, I'd consider not upgrading them now. First of all, your tech levels will be better than those of the Soviets, so it is not immediately neccessary. Secondly, I still feel that the Wehrmacht has way too few boots on the ground to take on the behemoth known as Red Army. Even your best estimates calculate at least 200 divisions and OB Ost will have less then half than that. While you do have Allies, their combat worth is questionable as can be seen in Greece and North Africa where the Italians somehow manage to get stuck despite all odds in their favor.
Delaying the upgrade to newer planes will free up considerable production capabilities and should be used for either more important upgrades (infantry, tanks, artillery) or new units (you should be able to get infantry divisions done by March).

Congratulations to Admiral Raeder and his squadron. The appearance of the Kriegsmarine in the central Med should raise an eyebrow or two in London. However, he should be informed that fuel is to be prioritised for the other branches soon. Since he will not recieve new ships anytime soon, he has to take care of what he has at his disposal, meaning that the damaged ships need to be brought home for repairs is his current primary duty.

Goering can also be proud of his boys, they're giving the Brits quite a beating over the channel. He should intensify operations here to inflict as many losses on the RAF as possible as long as the ratio is in your favor. Once Barbarossa starts, he'll have considerably fewer fighers available and cutting down the RAF now means that you gets a larger window of peace where the RAF will be busy replacing losses instead of harassing continental Europe.

All infantry (bar garrisons) and armour are upgraded, as are all interceptors. I am producing lots new units, but MP is now a problem. I am on about 850, with expectations of massive lossses in the first few weeks of Barbarossa. I am prepared to take MP lower, but I will see how it stands at 1 January before committing to mass increases. Bear in mind that soon I will be able to expand to 5 regiment divisions: that will chew up MP as I make my "strike" armies more potent by adding support regiments. I currently have 530 regiments in the Heer: maybe another 30-40 in production. So close to 175 divisions, of which about at least 130 will be available for Russia.

Actualy fuel is not an issue: I have 99999 fuel and about 50,000 oil. What is affecting Raeder is supply inthe Med: it is a long way away. But the KM has been told to keep its head down: I don't want to have to repair nay ships for the next few months.

And you are correct to point out that the LW must make hay while the sun shines: soon there will only 6 interceptor geschwader inthe west.

Thanks : I thought that might be it but in Englsih it would be a "games room" and not a game room". There is a shocking lack of consistency in the world's languages. Babel has a lot to answer for.

Actually it is a gaming room, not a game room. But yeah, we do like to create complicated new words out of old ones by combining, rearranging and declining them...
Could be worse though, in french it is probably called 'room-where-your-spend-your-time-playing-games'...

"Nothing makes them happy! They are dedicated to being unhappy, and to spreading that unhappiness to others! They are the Ambassadors of Unhappy!"

All infantry (bar garrisons) and armour are upgraded, as are all interceptors. I am producing lots new units, but MP is now a problem. I am on about 850, with expectations of massive lossses in the first few weeks of Barbarossa. I am prepared to take MP lower, but I will see how it stands at 1 January before committing to mass increases. Bear in mind that soon I will be able to expand to 5 regiment divisions: that will chew up MP as I make my "strike" armies more potent by adding support regiments. I currently have 530 regiments in the Heer: maybe another 30-40 in production. So close to 175 divisions, of which about at least 130 will be available for Russia.

You may want to reconsider your plans regarding the 5 regiment strike divisions, bar special forces like Marines etc. of which you always will only have a handfull anyways. I do have considerable doubts in the OKW (read: AI) ability to handle different types of divisions let alone different kinds with different strengths.

The comment about the upgrading was directed exclusively towards the Luftwaffe, the boys on the ground surely need the best equipment possible and they need it right now.

[QUOTE=Uriah;12029128]I thought the AI would not break the NAP? I know that after the expiry date there is a chance of an attack if I am too threatening, but are you sure the computer can break a pact?

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Thanks : I thought that might be it but in Englsih it would be a "games room" and not a game room". There is a shocking lack of consistency in the world's languages. Babel has a lot to answer for.

<snip>

QUOTE]

After the initial period, the NA seems to run until one side or the other decides to end it. I am pretty sure there is a minimum safe period, but I am not sure if that is 2 or 3 years, probably 2.

Here in the States we call it a game room. Most of ours spouses would call it a mess and a waste of space.

The M-R NAP works on a sliding scale. For the start neither side can attack unless they have real superiority over the border (ie the other fails to garrison), then its evens, then for the last 6-9 months its a lot less. Its designed so a pact signed on the historic date expires in early June 1941, but a war is possible early in 41 if one side is weak (stops a USSR player setting everything up too deep). I can't find back the event file that sets this out so can't check, but in effect the thing expires around 18 months after its been signed. I seem to recall that Uriah had quite an early Polish war so odds on the MR will fade away early in 41 in this game. At that stage, its very unlikely the Soviet AI will go to war (that tends to wait till 43).

Remember, whatever the question, the answer on 18 September is Yes ...

I assume the occupation of Gibraltar lengthened British supply routes. Together with their failure in ASW so far, this should theoretically have lead to a worsened supply situation for the Army of Egypt. Which would explain why the Italians were able to push forward - the Italian AI didn't grow a backbone all of a sudden, no, the British defense collapsed!
Of course, that's only my assumption. I've no idea if that is actually true.